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How the CVE Works:
The uListing WordPress plugin (versions ≤ 2.1.7) fails to properly restrict user meta updates via the `stm_listing_profile_edit` AJAX action. Attackers with Subscriber-level access can abuse this flaw to modify their own privileges, such as updating their user role to “administrator.” The vulnerability stems from inadequate capability checks and nonce validation, allowing low-privileged users to escalate permissions by crafting malicious requests to the vulnerable endpoint.
DailyCVE Form:
Platform: WordPress
Version: ≤ 2.1.7
Vulnerability: Privilege Escalation
Severity: Critical
Date: 03/28/2025
What Undercode Say:
Exploitation:
1. Manual Exploit (cURL):
curl -X POST http://[bash]/wp-admin/admin-ajax.php \ -d 'action=stm_listing_profile_edit&user_id=[bash]&user_role=administrator'
2. Metasploit Module (Hypothetical):
exploit/multi/wp/ulisting_privilege_escalation
Detection:
1. Check Plugin Version:
SELECT FROM wp_options WHERE option_name = 'ulisting_version';
2. Log Analysis:
grep "stm_listing_profile_edit" /var/log/apache2/access.log
Mitigation:
1. Immediate Actions:
- Disable the plugin or upgrade to patched versions (> 2.1.7).
- Restrict AJAX endpoints via
.htaccess:<Files "admin-ajax.php"> Require all denied Require valid-user </Files>
2. WAF Rules (ModSecurity):
SecRule ARGS_POST:action "@streq stm_listing_profile_edit" \ "id:1005,deny,msg:'uListing Exploit Attempt'"
Patching:
- Vendor patch enforces capability checks:
if (!current_user_can('edit_users')) { wp_die(); }
Forensics:
1. Identify Compromised Accounts:
SELECT user_id, meta_value FROM wp_usermeta WHERE meta_key = 'wp_capabilities';
2. Audit Logs:
journalctl -u apache2 --since "2025-03-20" | grep "admin-ajax"
No further commentary.
References:
Reported By: https://nvd.nist.gov/vuln/detail/CVE-2025-1653
Extra Source Hub:
Undercode
